CFB: USA Today Coaches' Poll out today

[Smokey McSmokerson]

War Damn Eagle! #6 baby! I don't think there's any one dominant team this year, so it looks to be a very fun season. Auburn vs LSU is a huge game for us. If we win that, we should be top 5 with a ton of momentum on our side. Oh yeah, bama barely squeaked in at #24 in case you're wondering .


http://www.usatoday.com/sports/colle...capsules_x.htm

With the release of the preseason USA TODAY coaches' poll, USA TODAY's Jack Carey gives you an outlook of the Top 25 teams heading into the season.

1. Ohio State (10-2)

Points: 1,487 (28 first-place votes). Final 2005 rank: 4. Outlook: QB Troy Smith, WR-KR Ted Ginn Jr. and RB Antonio Pittman back for Buckeyes, who look like they have best shot at national title since 2002 champs. DT Quinn Pitcock paces relatively inexperienced but talented defense. Early-season trip to Texas probably will tell a lot. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Northern Illinois (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).

2. Texas (13-0)

Points: 1,378 (11). Final 2005 rank: 1. Outlook: With QB Vince Young off to NFL, defending champion Longhorns must get some reasonable production from redshirt freshman Colt McCoy and/or true freshman Jevan Snead to make offense go. RBs Selvin Young and Jamaal Charles are back for ground duty, running behind T Justin Blalock and G Kasey Studdard. SS Michael Griffin and DT Frank Okam among defensive mainstays returning. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. North Texas (FSN, noon ET).

3. (tie) Notre Dame (9-3)

Points: 1,348 (9). Final 2005 rank: 11. Outlook: Expectations will be sky high in coach Charlie Weis' second season. Brady Quinn to Jeff Samardzija should again be one of best passing threats in nation, and RB Darius Walker should shine on ground. Defense should be better with nine starters, including DB Tom Zbikowski, back. Season finale at USC could be Irish's most important game in years. Opens: Sept. 2 at Georgia Tech (ABC, 8 p.m. ET).

3. (tie) Southern California (12-1)

Points: 1,348 (1). Final 2005 rank: 2. Outlook: QB John David Booty, coming off back surgery, looks like he'll finally get his shot at running offense and will have WR Dwayne Jarrett to throw to. RB Chauncey Washington might have to carry load in backfield. A rebuilding year, but it still looks like talent is everywhere. Opens: Sept. 2 at Arkansas (ESPN, 8:45 p.m. ET).

5. Oklahoma (8-4)

Points: 1,320 (13). Final 2005 rank: 22. Outlook: Sooners in turmoil with dismissal this week of QB Rhett Bomar, who started the last 11 games last season. That opens door for the return of Paul Thompson, who started 2005 opener before switching to receiver. Adrian Peterson still one of premier running backs in nation. LB Rufus Alexander leads stingy and experienced defense. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. UAB (TBS, 7 p.m. ET).

6. Auburn (9-3)

Points: 1,206 (1). Final 2005 rank: 14. Outlook: Tigers appear poised to make run at SEC honors and maybe more. QB Brandon Cox has developed into solid leader, and RB Kenny Irons is emerging star running behind Gs Ben Grubbs and Tim Duckworth. LB Will Herring and CB David Irons help lead star-laden defense. Sept. 16 test with LSU could be critical. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Washington State (ESPN2, 7:45 p.m. ET).

7. West Virginia (11-1)

Points: 1,202. Final 2005 rank: 6. Outlook: With QB Pat White returning and RB Steve Slaton back to run behind a line paced by C Dan Mozes, Mountaineers' offense shouldn't miss a beat. LB Kevin McLee and SS Eric Wicks mainstays on defense. Schedule looks friendly, and Big East title and maybe national championship hopes could come down to game Nov. 2 at Louisville. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Marshall.

8. Florida (9-3)

Points: 1,054. Final 2005 rank: 16. Outlook: Jury still out on whether coach Urban Meyer's spread offense can be effective against the kind of powerhouse defenses Gators face in SEC. Running game has to be more consistent, and QB Chris Leak will have highly regarded freshman Tim Tebow right behind him on depth chart. Defense should be solid behind LBs Brandon Siler and Earl Everett. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Southern Mississippi.

9. LSU (11-2)

Points: 1,037. Final 2005 rank: 5. Outlook: Only overtime loss to Tennessee kept Tigers from 11-0 regular season, and QB JaMarcus Russell will be back to throw to WR Dwayne Bowe. Defense could be special behind FS LaRon Landry and LB Ali Highsmith. Trips to Auburn, Florida and Tennessee will be key. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Louisiana-Monroe.

10. Florida State (8-5)

Points: 874. Final 2005 rank: 23. Outlook: Last season's record for ACC champ looks like aberration, but Seminoles have 20 losses over last five seasons. QB Drew Weatherford's job will be made easier if Seminoles can run with more efficiency and OL is more consistent. LB Buster Davis paces retooled defense. Opens: Sept. 4 at No. 11 Miami (Fla.) (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET).

11. Miami (Fla.) (9-3)

Points: 839. Final 2005 rank: 18. Outlook: First two years in ACC haven't been up to Miami standards, and coach Larry Coker shook up staff after last season. QB Kyle Wright will have WR Ryan Moore (suspended for first two games) and TE Greg Olsen to work with. RB Tyrone Moss is suspended for opener, but his rate of recovery from knee injury will be key. FS Brandon Meriweather and SS Kenny Phillips pace talented secondary. Opens: Sept. 4 vs. No. 10 Florida State (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET).

12. California (8-4)

Points: 798. Final 2005 rank: 25. Outlook: Bears might be ready to ascend to Pac-10 throne, although they won't play Southern California until second-to-last game. Marshawn Lynch one of best RBs in nation. QB Nate Longshore returns after breaking ankle in last year's opener, although Joe Ayoob, Steve Levy and Kyle Reed are in mix at that spot. DT Brandon Mebane paces experienced defense that could develop into top-notch unit. Opens: Sept. 2 at No. 23 Tennessee (ESPN, 5:30 p.m. ET).

13. Louisville (9-3)

Points: 785. Final 2005 rank: 20. Outlook: QB Brian Brohm says knee is OK (he suffered torn ACL late last season), so the Cardinals should continue to be among nation's highest-scoring teams. Standout RB Michael Bush also returns to this experienced lineup. With loss of star DLs Elvis Dumervil and Montavious Stanley and LB Brandon Johnson, defense will be young in spots, but talent is there. Opens: Sept. 3 vs. Kentucky (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET).

14. Georgia (10-3)

Points: 784. Final 2005 rank: 10. Outlook: Senior QB Joe Tereshinski might be the present, but freshman Matthew Stafford looks like the future for defending SEC champ. Top-notch group of RBs, led by Thomas Brown, probably will have to carry load for while. DE Quentin Moses one to watch on retooled defense. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Western Kentucky.

15. Michigan (7-5)

Points: 778. Final 2005 rank: not ranked. Outlook: After losing five games by seven or fewer points, coach Lloyd Carr wanted his Wolverines to be leaner and better conditioned for the end of close games. QB Chad Henne, RB Mike Hart and WR/return man Steve Breaston are back to lead offense, but UM needs more consistency from OL. CB Leon Hall and DE LaMarr Woodley help pace defense. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Vanderbilt (ESPN, noon ET).

16. Virginia Tech (11-2)

Points: 591. Final 2005 rank: 7. Outlook: Once QB emerges to replace departed Marcus Vick, Hokies should be able to take advantage of deep group of WRs that includes David Clowney, Josh Morgan and Eddie Royal. LBs Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi lead solid defense. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Northeastern.

17. Iowa (7-5)

Points: 519. Final 2005 rank: not ranked. Outlook: Eyeing move toward top of Big Ten, Hawkeyes should have little difficulty moving the ball behind QB Drew Tate, emerging RB Albert Young and TE Scott Chandler. Defensive front should be mainstay behind DEs Ken Iwebema and Bryan Mattison. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Montana (ESPNU, noon ET).

18. Clemson (8-4)

Points: 493. Final 2005 rank: 21. Outlook: Every loss Tigers had last year was by four or fewer points or in overtime. Run at ACC title starts with defense that features DE Gaines Adams and LB Anthony Waters. RB James Davis could soon be star, and WR Chansi Stuckey is solid. Senior QB Will Proctor steps into starting role. Early trips to Boston College and Florida State will be telling. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Florida Atlantic (ESPNU, 3:30 p.m. ET).

19. Penn State (11-1)

Points: 406. Points: 3. Outlook: World about to find out how much departed QB Michael Robinson meant to defending Big Ten champ. Highly regarded Anthony Morelli steps in. RB Tony Hunt returns with WRs Deon Butler, Derrick Williams and Jordan Norwood. LB Paul Posluszny, coming off knee injury, and CB Justin King are back to pace defense. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Akron (ESPN2, 3:30 p.m. ET).

20. Oregon (10-2)

Points: 373. Final 2005 rank: 12. Outlook: Ducks close to BCS at-large status last year, and QBs Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf are back to operate behind veteran OL paced by C Enoka Lucas and T Max Unger. Some questions on defense, where standout T Haloti Ngata figures to be sorely missed. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Stanford (ABC, 3:30 p.m. ET).

21. TCU (11-1)

Points: 270. Final 2005 rank: 9. Outlook: Great first year in Mountain West resulted in league title, and Frogs might have been knocking on door of BCS bowl if they hadn't been upset by SMU in second game. This year, they could get there if retooled OL, paced by T Herb Taylor, can open holes for RB Robert Merrill. Defense should be consistently solid behind Es Chase Ortiz and Tommy Blake, who combined for 16 sacks. Opens: Sept. 3 at Baylor (FSN, 5:30 p.m. ET).

22. Nebraska (8-4)

Points: 261. Final 2005 rank: 24. Outlook: Year 2 of Bill Callahan era much more palatable with three consecutive wins to end year. QB Zac Taylor returns after breaking several school passing records. DEs Adam Carriker and Jay Moore lead experienced front seven. Sept. 16 trip to Southern California looms. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Louisiana Tech (FSN, 3:30 p.m. ET).

23. Tennessee (5-6)

Points: 216. Final 2005 rank: not ranked. Outlook: Little mystery as to why Vols suffered losing season. Offense was held to 21 or fewer points seven times. David Cutcliffe returns to Knoxville as offensive coordinator to try to boost production and confidence of QB Erik Ainge. T Justin Harrell and CB Jonathan Wade could spark defense. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. No. 12 California (ESPN, 5:30 p.m. ET).

24. Alabama (10-2)

Points: 210. Final 2005 rank: 8. Outlook: With departure of Brodie Croyle, transition to new QB probably will be made easier by return of standout RB Kenneth Darby running behind C Antoine Caldwell. Status of WR Tyrone Prothro (broken leg) will be key. Defense lost several top performers but T Jeremy Clark among returnees. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Hawaii.

25. Texas Tech (9-3)

Points: 198. Final 2005 rank: 19. Outlook: Graham Harrell or Chris Todd figures to be next QB in coach Mike Leach's pass-happy attack, which cracked 50-point mark five times last year, although Red Raiders figure to miss RB Taurean Henderson. LB-DE Keyunta Dawson helps lead defense. Program has proved it has staying power and should again make noise in Big 12. Opens: Sept. 2 vs. Southern Methodist.

[ToddziLLa]

[Joekendall04]

GO VIRGINIA TECH


Anyone else happen to catch this???

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES
Arizona State 182, Boston College 87, Utah 84, Arkansas 64, South Carolina 55, Boise State 46, Wisconsin 37, UCLA 29, Georgia Tech 28, Fresno State 14, Tulsa 11, Iowa State 9, Minnesota 9, Maryland 8, Purdue 7, TEXAS AM 6, Memphis 5, Nevada 3, UTEP 3, Rutgers 2, NORTHN ILLINOIS 2, Northwestern 2, Oregon State 2, Arizona 2, Brigham Young 2, Colorado 1, [SIZE="4"]Duke 1.[/SIZE]

Somewhere out there is a head coach on crack...

[Ermo]

Ohio State at 1?!? Damn Ohio State. Michigan better get their SH*T together this year.

Look out for West Virginia too, but IMO USC and Texas will not be nearly as good as people think, both lost their entire offenses in the draft.

[cquon]

Originally Posted by Ermo

...but IMO USC and Texas will not be nearly as good as people think, both lost their entire offenses in the draft.

[SIZE="4"]Remember this when the smoke clears.[/SIZE]

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by Joekendall04

Anyone else happen to catch this???

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES
Arizona State 182, Boston College 87, Utah 84, Arkansas 64, South Carolina 55, Boise State 46, Wisconsin 37, UCLA 29, Georgia Tech 28, Fresno State 14, Tulsa 11, Iowa State 9, Minnesota 9, Maryland 8, Purdue 7, TEXAS AM 6, Memphis 5, Nevada 3, UTEP 3, Rutgers 2, NORTHN ILLINOIS 2, Northwestern 2, Oregon State 2, Arizona 2, Brigham Young 2, Colorado 1, [SIZE="4"]Duke 1.[/SIZE]

Somewhere out there is a head coach on crack...

We got a vote! We got a vote?

Watch out for Georgia Tech in the ACC. They are a sleeper this year.

NCRM

[Joekendall04]

Originally Posted by NCRadioMan

Watch out for Georgia Tech in the ACC. They are a sleeper this year.

NCRM

I don't know if a team with a 4th year starter at QB and the nation's best reciever can be called a sleeper, but I have no doubt that they'll be good. They return four starters from a good o-line last year to protect Ball, who should finally become consistent. Darryl Richard is the best d-lineman no one's heard of and Kamichael Hall is one of the better linebackers in the ACC.

The Wreck are a pretty solid team all-around and probably have third place in the Coastal locked up. They may even (gulp) challenge VT for the second spot and who knows, they beat the U last year.

[G-Man]

Originally Posted by Smokey McSmokerson

War Damn Eagle! #6 baby! I don't think there's any one dominant team this year, so it looks to be a very fun season. Auburn vs LSU is a huge game for us. If we win that, we should be top 5 with a ton of momentum on our side. Oh yeah, bama barely squeaked in at #24 in case you're wondering .


http://www.usatoday.com/sports/colle...capsules_x.htm

Gators in at #8....Looking forward to that matchup on the plaines this year. I have missed the Auburn game every year. It is good to have you guys back on the schedule.

[clampdown]

I didnt see the University of Kentucky on there. Are you sure that is the official list.

[Joekendall04]

Originally Posted by Joekendall04

OTHERS RECEIVING VOTES
Arizona State 182, Boston College 87, Utah 84, Arkansas 64, South Carolina 55, Boise State 46, Wisconsin 37, UCLA 29, Georgia Tech 28, Fresno State 14, Tulsa 11, Iowa State 9, Minnesota 9, Maryland 8, Purdue 7, TEXAS AM 6, Memphis 5, Nevada 3, UTEP 3, Rutgers 2, NORTHN ILLINOIS 2, Northwestern 2, Oregon State 2, Arizona 2, Brigham Young 2, Colorado 1, [SIZE="4"]Duke 1.[/SIZE]

Somewhere out there is a head coach on crack...

Apparently Steve Spurrier always gives Duke the #25 spot in his preseason poll becuase that's where he started his career, thus the 1 vote for Duke. It's not a head coach on crack, just Steve Spurr...oh wait...

[NCRadioMan]

Originally Posted by Joekendall04

Apparently Steve Spurrier always gives Duke the #25 spot in his preseason poll becuase that's where he started his career, thus the 1 vote for Duke. It's not a head coach on crack, just Steve Spurr...oh wait...

One of my cousins played for him at Duke back in the late 80's. Made them a top 10 team. Unreal to think of it now.

He has had great success everywhere except Washington. He did a great job as a Head coach in the USFL with the Tampa Bay Bandits before going to Duke. And yes, he is a strange bird.

NCRM

[floydp]

Originally Posted by NCRadioMan

We got a vote! We got a vote?

Watch out for Georgia Tech in the ACC. They are a sleeper this year.

NCRM

Speaking of sleepers, UVA always sleeps during football season.

Its hard being a UVA fan..

[chuckojr]

Mike Hart's going to have a break-out year and win the Heisman.

[Ermo]

Originally Posted by chuckojr

Mike Hart's going to have a break-out year and win the Heisman.

YEAH BABY!!! He's healthy is the word on the street. If Henne, Hart and Breaston all play well Michigan will have a great team, top 10, maybe better depending on the defense. If they don't we'll have the same cappy season as last year, 7-5.

[ComicBookFreak]

Originally Posted by floydp

Speaking of sleepers, UVA always sleeps during football season.

Its hard being a UVA fan..

What happened to UVA Frank?

CBF